COPPER ALLOY FOR HORSE BRIDLE BITS

ALLIAGE DE CUIVRE POUR BRIDE EQUESTRE

English Abstract

A copper alloy for bridle bits and similar items including 81 - 88%, by weight, of copper, less than 4%, by weight, of silicon, and the remainder zinc including impurities. The alloy is characterized by high strength and readily stimulates the horse to chew on the bit. The lack of nickel in the alloy is also safer for the horses.

French Abstract

Alliage de cuivre pour mors et articles similaires, incluant 81 à 88 %, en poids, de cuivre, moins de 4 %, en poids, de silicium, le reste étant constitué d'impuretés contenant du zinc. L'alliage est caractérisé par une résistance élevée et stimule facilement le cheval pour mâcher le mors. L'absence de nickel dans l'alliage est également plus sûre pour les chevaux.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A shaped article adapted for placement into a horse's
mouth comprising:
a bridle bit consisting of:
81-88%, by weight, of copper;
less than 4%, by weight, of silicon; and
zinc including impurities;
said bridle bit being adapted for placement into a
horse's mouth wherein the horse is stimulated to quick chewing
so that the horse's pace and speed is better controlled.
2. The shaped article according to claim 1, wherein said
bridle bit consists of:
83-86%, by weight, of copper;
2.5-3.7%, by weight, of silicon; and
10-13%, by weight, of zinc.
3. The shaped article according to claim 1, wherein the
shaped article consists essentially of a bridle bit consisting
essentially of:
83-86%, by weight, of copper;
2.5-3.7%, by weight, of silicon, and;
10-13%, by weight, of zinc.
4. The shaped article according to claim 1, wherein said
bridle bit consist; essentially of:
81-88%, by weight, of copper;
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less than 0.1%, by weight, of silicon; and
zinc including impurities.
5. The shaped article according to any one of claims 1
to 4, wherein said bridle bit is devoid of nickel.
6. The shaped article according to any one of claims 1
to 4, wherein said bridle bit is devoid of nickel and other
heavy metals.
7. In a method for manufacturing a bridle bit from a
copper alloy for placement into a horse's mouth, the
improvement which comprises:
producing a bridle bit from a copper alloy consisting
essentially of:
81-88%, by weight, of copper;
less than 4%, by weight, of silicon; and
zinc including impurities;
and casting said bridle bit from said copper alloy.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said copper
alloy consists essentially of:
83-86%, by weight, of copper;
2.5-3.7%, by weight, of silicon, and
10-13%, fey weight, of zinc.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said copper
alloy consists essentially of:
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81-88%, by weight, of copper;
less than 0.1%, by weight, of silicon; and
zinc including impurities.

Description

CA 02129566 2000-08-08
29439-1
The pre:~ent invention relates to a copper alloy for
horse bridle bits or similar items.
Previou;~ly, bridle bits or bit bars were cast from
copper alloys. The copper or oxides, which are formed, or
~~ other compounds stimulate the horses to chew. This makes it
easier for the rider to control the horse, including changing
the horse's pace and speed.
Silver alloys are also used for bridle bits and
normally have a copper content of 50-70%, by weight, combined
with 13-25%, by wE:ight, zinc and a relatively high nickel
content of 12-16%, by weight. The desired increase in the
copper contents lE:ads to a considerable decrease in the
strength of the a7_loy such that it can no longer be used as a
bit bar since their are ;subj ect to stress .
1~~ It is, therefore, an object of the present invention
to overcome the drawbaclts of the prior art and to provide a
copper alloy for bridle bits having a high copper content and
being at least as strong as the previously used silver alloys.
The invention provides shaped article adapted for
2C placement into a horse'; mouth comprising: a bridle bit
consisting of: 81--88%, by weight, of copper; less than 4%, by
weight, of silicon; and zinc including impurities; said bridle
bit being adapted for p:Lacement into a horse's mouth wherein
the horse is stimulated to quick chewing so that the horse's
2~ pace and speed is better controlled.
Preferably the copper alloy contains 83-86%, by
weight, copper, 2.5-3.7's, by weight, silicon and 10-13%, by
weight, zinc.
The invention also provides a method for
3C manufacturing a bx-idle bit from a copper alloy for placement
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CA 02129566 2000-08-08
29439-1
into a horse's month, the improvement which comprises:
producing a bridlf=_ bit from a copper alloy consisting
essentially of: 8:L-88%, by weight, of copper; less than 4%, by
weight, of silicon; and zinc including impurities; and casting
~~ said bridle bit from said copper alloy. Preferably the bridle
bit is devoid of nickel and other heavy metals.
The copper alloy according to the invention has
sufficient strengt=h for its intended use. The alloy is
accepted well by t:he horse in the form of a bit bar or similar
item. Upon placernent into the horse's mouth, the horse is
stimulated to quick chewing.
The copper alloy is superior to currently used alloys
due to the distinctly higher copper content. It is also
important to know that the alloy does not include nickel and
1~~ is, therefore, better for the animal's health.
While several embodiments of the present invention
have been describE:d, it is to be understood that many changes
and modifications may bfs made thereunto without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the
2C appended claims.
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